I Need Help Identifying Male/Female! GBRs

[hsarlo]

Hello!

I am new to cichlids, and recently upgraded to a 55 gallon tank. I ordered two GBRs for it, and I am wondering if they might be both males/females. I have already seen them each carve out their own area of the tank, making me think their same sex, but can anyone confirm? The one definitely has more color but I can’t tell if that’s just because it’s older or anything. Just want to know if I have to order another pair of opposite sex, etc. Help is appreciated!!

 

[GaryE]

Right now, those fish appear female to me, but that may be because of their ages. The sexual characteristics come later.

I very much doubt you could order by sex. A dealer might pretend to know to get your money, but they would be guessing as you are. The usual advice is to play the law of averages and buy a minimum of six fish, ideally 8 or 10, in the hopes that you will get two sexes in the lot. What to do with the others becomes the next issue. No one has resolved that one perfectly.

Look for the first few rays (front) of the dorsal to be extended in males.

 

[TNG]

Photos 1 & 2 are female. Photos 3 & 4, I can't tell as the colours are washed out. Photo 5, both fish are female.